Stabilizing means for drawers and the like



Sept. 17, 1963 R. E. NEUJAHR 3,103,901

STABILIZING MEANS FOR DRAWERS AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 25, 1961 s Sheets-Sheet 1 V12 3 2 38 4e 44 4 "g: 9 B/ :2 /54 -s as INVENTOR.

ROY E. NEUJAHR Sept. 17, 1963 R. E. NEUJAHR 3,103,901

- STABILIZING MEANS FOR DRAWERS AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 25, 1961 s sheets-sheet 2 vlllllllllllllllllr' INVENTOR. ROY E. NEUJAHR Sept. 17, 1963 R. E. NEUJAHR STABILIZING MEANS FOR DRAWERS AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 25, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent 3,103,901 STABILIZING MEANS FOR DRAWERS AND THE LIKE Roy E. Neu ahr, 1540 Nob Hill Drive, Escondido, Calif. Filed Aug. 25, 1961, Ser. No. 136,139 9 Claims. (Cl. 108-137) The present invention relates generally to sliding track mechamsms and more particularly to stabilizing means for drawers and the like.

The primary object of this invention is to provide drawer stabilizing means using a triangulated roller support together with longitudinal roller guides for maximum stability and ease of operation, the triangulated support being effective with heavy loads and considerable drawer extension or overhang, since the support moves outwardly with the drawer.

Another object of this invention is to provide stabilizing means having a rigid fixed frame for attachment to supporting members and an upright sliding frame on which many different arrangements of drawers, cabinets, or other structures may be mounted or hung.

I Another object of this invention is to provide stabilizing means which has considerable lateral as well as longitudinal stability and prevents jamming or binding of the sliding structure.

A further object of this invention is to provide stabilizing means which can be made from rod or bar material, or from sheet material such as wood.

Finally, it is an object to provide stabilizing means of the aforementioned character which is simple and convenient to build and install and which will give generally efilcient and durable service.

With these and other objects definitely in view, this invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of elements and portions, as will be hereiafter fully described in the specification, particularly pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the drawings which form a material pant of this disclosure, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation view of the stabilizing means constructed from rod material, the sliding portion being partially extended;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation View with the sliding portion completely retracted;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the structure as illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective View of the structure;

FIGURE 5 is an end elevation view as taken from the left end of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective 'view, partially cut away, showing an alternative box type sliding drawer structure;

FIGURE 7 is a side elevation view in extended position, of a modified form of the stabilizing means constructed from sheet material;

FIGURE 8 is a top plan view of the sheet type structure in near closed position; and

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of FIGURE 7.

Referring now to FIGURES 1-5 of the drawings, the structure includes a fixed base frame 10 and a sliding frame 12 which carries drawer or cabinet assemblies. The base frame 10 comprises a generally rectangular element of rod or bar material, having sides 14, a rear member 16 and inwardly turned front members 18, the ends of which are turned forwardly to provide spaced, parallel extension arms 20. The base frame 10 is generally planar to rest flat on a supporting surface and is provided with lugs 22 fixed to the sides 14 and extension arms for securement by screws or the like. Fixed to the base frame 10 are two parallel guide rails 24 terminally secured to the rear member 16 and front mem- 3,103,901 Patented Sept. 17, 1963 bers 18 adjacent the sides 14, said guide rails being spaced above the base frame on downwardly extending end posts 26, which also serve as end stops.

The sliding frame 12 comprises a member of rod material having an upright front riser 28 and a rear riser 30, between which is a downwardly extending V-member 32. Fixed to the lower end of the rear riser 30 are two vertically spaced, transverse guide bars 34, at the ends of which are pairs of freely rotatable, grooved guide rollers 36, said guide rollers riding above and below the guide rails 24. The V-member 32 is supported by a stabilizing yoke 38 comprising a pair of spaced, isosceles triangular frames 40 each pivotally mounted at the lower apex on a hinge pin 42 fixed across the extension arms 26. The stabilizing yoke 38 swings in a plane parallel to the direction of motion of the sliding frame 12, the triangular frames 40 being disposed on opposite sides of the V-member 32 and being connected at their upper apices by pins 44, on which are freely rotatable, grooved stabilizing rollers 46 and 48 engaging the undersides of the opposed sloping arms of said V-member.

Throughout most of the range of travel, the sliding frame 12 is supported by both stabilizing rollers 46 and 48 as well as by the guide rollers 36 at the rear of the sliding frame. With the sliding frame 12 extended, as

in FIGURES l and 4, any load on the forward end causes the V-member 32 to bear downwardly on the forward stabilizing roller 46, but this is counteracted by the rear stabilizing roller 48 being forced upwardly under said V-member as the stabilizing yoke 38 swings about the hinge pin 42. When the sliding frame 12 is fully retracted or closed, the forward load is supported generally vertically by the forward stabilizing roller 46, through the triangular frames 40, to the hinge pin 42, as in FIGURE 2. As soon as the sliding frame 12 is moved forwardly, the rear stabilizing roller 48 begins to ride up the rear portion of the V-member 32, providing the stabilized support.

Many types of structures may be attached to the sliding frame-12, that illustrated being a simple open structure of rod material having upper and lower longitudinal bars 50 and 52 spaced by upright corner posts 54 and interconnected by cross bars 56 fixed to the risers 28 and30. The lower ends of the rear corner posts 54 can be attached to the guide bars 34 for additional support. Various containers or racks may be mounted or hung on the bar structure, which is included merely to illustrate a means for providing longitudinal rigidity and supportrfor the V-member 32.

As an alternative, the V-meznber 32 may be incorporated into a drawer assembly 58, as in FIGURE 6, said drawer assembly having a front panel 60, back panel 62, bottom panel 64, inner side panels 66 and outer side panels 68. The V-member 32 is secured to the inside of the front and back panels 60 and 62 by suitable clips 70 around the front and rear risers 28 and 30, the inner side panels 66 being spaced on opposite sides of said V-member to provide clearance for .movement of thestabilizing yoke 38. In place of the guide bars 34, the guide rollers 36 may be mounted on small support blocks .72 fixed tothe rear underside of the bottom panel 64. The drawer assembly 58 thus replaces the sliding frame 12 and provides a deep storage compartment on each side of the V- member 32.

The modified form of construction illustrated in FIG- URES 7-9 includes a base frame and a sliding. frame 82, made primarily from wood or other sheet material.

' The base frame comprises aflat, generally rectangular. base plate 84 having a pair of longitudinal guide 13118 .86 fixed to opposite Sides thereof, said guide rails each having a recessed longitudinal channel 88 in the inner face, so. that said channels are opposed and parallel. At the forward end of each guide rail 86 is a stop plate 90 closing the channel 88.

The sliding frame comprises an upright front member 92 and an upright rear member 94, between which is a V-member 96, the V edge portion of which is bevelled, as indicated at 98. As illustrated, the front and rear members 92 and 94 are rectangular panels and the V-member 96 is a fiat panel having its lower edge angularly cut to provide the V portion. It should be understood, however, that the structure may vary somewhat according to size and the type of structure to be mounted on the sliding frame 82. As an example, shelves 100 are indicated in broken line in FIGURE 9, although this arrangement is by no means limiting. Fixed to the bottom edge of the rear member 94 and extending transversely of the sliding frame 82 is a guide bar 102, at the ends of which are guide rollers 104 which ride in the channels 88, said guide bar being held in place by suitable brackets 106. The diameter of the guide rollers 104 is substantially equal to the height of the channels 88, so that vertical play is minimized.

The sliding frame 82 is supported by a stabilizing yoke 108, comprising a pair of isosceles triangular members 110 spaced on opposite sides of the V-member 96, said stabilizing yoke being pivoted at the lower apex on a hinge pin 112, which is held in a hinge block 114 fixed to the forward end of the base plate 84. Mounted between the triangular members 110 at their upper apices are two freely rotatable, grooved stabilizing rollers 116 which engage the bevelled edge 98 of V-member 96. By using grooved rollers on the bevelled edge 98, the V-memher 96 is held centrally in the stabilizing yoke 108 to prevent friction against the triangular members 110.

The operation of the modified structure is similar to that previously described, in that the rear of the sliding frame 82 is g ided in a linear motion by the guide rollers 104 in channels 88, while the forward portion of the sliding frame is supported by stabilizing rollers 116 in the stabilizing yoke 108 which swings about the hinge pin 112. While not a critical feature, it is interesting to note that the triangular members 110 may be made from the portions cut away to form the V-member 96, resulting in economical use of a sheet of material.

Although the mechanism as described is primarily for stabilization of sliding doors and cabinet structures, other uses will be apparent. For example, a suitably strengthened and proportioned structure could be used to support a radially extending crane boom, or a slidable drawbridge, while smaller structures could be utilized in sliding racks, light carrying booms, hatch covers, or any comparable application Where sliding supports externally of the main structure are undesirable for any reason. The exact configuration of the fixed and sliding frames is not critical and may be varied considerably according to size and requirements, the significant features being the linear roller guiding of the rear end of the sliding frame together with the pivotable triangular stabilizing means with dual rollers engaging a V-member on the sliding frame.

The operation of this invention will be clearly comprehended from a consideration of the foregoing description of the mechanical details thereof, taken in connection with the drawings and the above recited objects. It will be obvious that all said objects are amply achieved by this invention.

It is understood that minor variation from the form of the invention disclosed herein may be made without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and that the specification and drawing are to be considered as merely illustrative rather than limiting.

I claim:

*1. Stabilizing means for a forwardly and rearwardly sliding, load carrying structure, comprising: a fixed frame adapted for mounting in a supporting structure; a sliding frame longitudinally slidable in said fixed frame; longitudinal guide rails on said fixed frame; one end of said sliding frame having guide means slidably engaging said 4 guide rails; said sliding frame having a vertical member with opposed sloping portions; a stabilizing yoke pivotally mounted on said fixed frame; said stabilizing yoke having anti-frictional engagement with said opposed sloping portions and supporting the sliding frame.

2. Stabilizing means for a forwardly and rearwardly sliding, load carrying structure, comprising: a fixed frame adapted for mounting in a supporting structure; a sliding frame longitudinally slidable in said fixed frame; longitudinal guide rails on said fixed frame; the rear end of said sliding frame having sliding engagement with said guide rails; said sliding frame having a vertical V-mcmher with opposed sloping portions; a stabilizing yoke pivotally mounted adjacent the forward end of said fixed frame; said stabilizing yoke having anti-frictional engagement with said opposed sloping portions and supporting the sliding frame.

3. Stabilizing means for a forwardly and rearwardly sliding, load canying structure, comprising: a fixed frame adapted for mounting in a supporting structure; a sliding frame longitudinally slidable in said fixed frame; longitudinal guide rails on said fixed frame; the rear end of said sliding frame having sliding engagement with said guide rails; said sliding frame having a vertical V-member with opposed sloping portions; a stabilizing yoke pivotally mounted adjacent the forward end of said fixed frame to swing in a plane parallel to the motion of said sliding frame; said stabilizing yoke slidably engaging each of said sloping portions of said V-member.

4. Stabilizing means for a forwardly and rearwardly sliding, load carrying structure, comprising: a fixed frame adapted for mounting in a supporting structure; a sliding frame longitudinally slidable in said fixed frame; longitudinal guide rails on said fixed frame; said sliding frame including a vertical V-member with opposed sloping portions front and rear members at opposite ends of said V member for attachment of load carrying structure thereto; freely rotatable guide rollers mounted on said rear member and engaging said guide rails; a stabilizing yoke pivotally mounted adjacent the forward end of said fixed frame to swing in a plane parallel to the plane of motion of said sliding frame; said stabilizing yoke slidably engaging each of said sloping portions of said V-member.

5. Stabilizing means for a forwardly and rearwardly sliding, load carrying structure, comprising: a fixed frame adapted for mounting in a supporting structure; a slidable frame longitudinally slidable in said fixed frame; longitudinal guide rails on said fixed frame; said sliding frame including a V-member with opposed sloping por tions front and rear members on opposite ends of said V-member for attachment of load carrying structure thereto; freely rotatable guide rollers mounted on said rear member and engaging said guide rails; a generally triangular stabilizing yoke pivotally attached at one apex to the forward end of said fixed frame to swing in a plane parallel to the motion of said sliding frame; said stabilizing yoke comprising a pair of triangular members spaced on opposite sides of said V-mernber; freely rotatable stabilizing rollers mounted between said triangular members at the other apices thereof and engaging the sloping portions of said V-member.

6. Stabilizing means for a forwardly and rearwardly sliding, load carrying structure, comprising: a fixed frame adapted for mounting in a supporting structure; a sliding frame longitudinally slidable in said fixed frame; said fixed frame including a generally fiat, rectangular base having a pair of longitudinal parallel guide rails on opposite sides thereof; said guide rails having stop means on their forward ends; said sliding frame including a downwardly extending V-member with opposed sloping portions and having front and rear upright members integral therewith; said rear upright member having portions extending laterally on opposite sides; freely rotatable guide rollers mounted on said laterally extending portions and engaging said guide rails; a stabilizing yoke pivotally mounted adjacent the forward end of said fixed frame; said stabilizing yoke having anti-frictional engagement with said opposed sloping portions and supporting the sliding frame.

7. Stabilizing means for a forwardly and rearwardly sliding, load carrying structure, comprising: a fixed frame adapted for mounting in a supporting structure; a sliding frame longitudinally slidable in said fixed frame; said fixed frame including a generally flat, rectangular base having a pair of longitudinal parallel guide rails at opposite sides thereof; said guide rails having stop means at their forward ends; said sliding frame including a downwardly extending V-member with opposed sloping portions and having front and rear upright members integral therewith; said rear upright member having portions extending laterally on opposite sides; freely rotatable guide rollers mounted on said laterally extending portions and engaging said guide rails; a generally triangular stabilizing yoke pivotally attached at one apex to the forward end of said base to swing in a plane parallel to the direction of motion of said sliding frame; said stabilizing yoke comprising a pair of triangular members spaced on opposite sides of said V-member; and freely rotatable stabilizing rollers mounted between said triangular members at the other apices thereof and engaging the sloping portions of said V-member.

8. Stabilizing means according to claim 4 wherein said V rnember and said front and rear members are unitary and of rod-like material.

9. Stabilizing means according to claim 4 wherein said V member and said stabilizing yoke are of rigid sheet material.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,576,034 Butt Mar. 9, 1926 2,066,303 Schulz Dec. 29, 1936 2,774,644 Patterson Dec. 18, 1956 2,946,458 Du Boif July 26, 1960 

1. STABILIZING MEANS FOR A FORWARDLY AND REARWARDLY SLIDING, LOAD CARRYING STRUCTURE, COMPRISING: A FIXED FRAME ADAPTED FOR MOUNTING IN A SUPPORTING STRUCTURE; A SLIDING FRAME LONGITUDINALLY SLIDABLE IN SAID FIXED FRAME; LONGITUDINAL GUIDE RAILS ON SAID FIXED FRAME; ONE END OF SAID SLIDING FRAME HAVING GUIDE MEANS SLIDABLY ENGAGING SAID GUIDE RAILS; SAID SLIDING FRAME HAVING A VERTICAL MEMBER WITH OPPOSED SLOPING PORTIONS; A STABILIZING YOKE PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID FIXED FRAME; SAID STABILIZING YOKE HAVING ANTI-FRICTIONAL ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID OPPOSED SLOPING PORTIONS AND SUPPORTING THE SLIDING FRAME. 